mijlet



L, M. MULU.

CONTINUOUS CEWFHFUGAL SEPARATOR.

Patented J uly 15, 19H).

4 SHEETS SHEU' 1.

L M. MULET. commusus CENTREFUGAL SEPARATOR.

APPUCATMH HLED MAY 9 WI Patvnted J uly l5, 1M9.

4 SHEETS--SHEET 2.

L. M. MULET. commuous CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATOH.

RPFLJCATIDH FIUID MAY 9. 191?.

Patmlted July 15, 1919.

4 SHIETS-SHEET 4.

LORENZO M. norm, or sax ron'rwoor conzmwous cnm'mrrronx. snrm'ron.

Specification of Letters Pitent.

patented July 15, 1919;

Application filed Kay 9, 1917. Serial No. 167,528.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Lonunzo M. MULE'I', a citizen of the United States, residing at San Juan, in the county of San Juan, Territory of Porto Rico, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Continuous Centrifugal Separators; and I do hereby declare the following to he a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

his invention relates to centrifugal sepa rators and has special reference to the type of centrifugal separator which is used for separating solid material from ,contained li uid, such as sugar from molasses.

Ieretofore in the operation of centrifugal separators it has been found that these Vices are the most expensive devices used on a sugar plantation. The reason for this is that the ordinary centrifugal separator is charged with the wet sugar through an opening in the top, the separator casing having an opening in the bottom normally closed by a plug. The separator is then started to work and the sugar collects on the separating wall in a layer, the molasses flowing through the perforations in the wall and being collectedin a suitable trough be tween the separating wall and the casing. In

order to get rid of the sugar thus separated 1t 1s necessary to stop the separator. he operator then takes a paddle and scrapes ofi all the sugar from the wallso that it falls in the bottom of the casing, previously removing the plug from the o ening in the center of the casing bottom. a then pushes the sugar. toward the center and down the opening until he has gotten rid of as much sugar as possible down this opening. This operation naturally requires a very considerable time and during this time the se arator is idle and it found in practice t lat the time consumed, is at least equal to the time required for the separation of the mo lasses from the sugar. Thus on a plantation Where the full capacity of a separator is needed, that is to say the capacity of a separator running constantly and Withoutcleanout interruptions, it is essential that there be two separators one of which can remain idle while the other is bein used for the separating process. This 0 course entails additional floor space, driving machinery and labor. s The principal object of the present inmolasses from sugar but it wil vention is to provide a. centrifugal separator which will clear itself automatically and continuously of the s'eparator sugar.

It is also found in the use of an ordinary type of separator that the openings in the screen become-clogged with the sugar and it frequently happens that these openin have to be punched out inbrder to provi z for the escape of the molasses.

A second important object of the present invention is to provide a separator wherein the action-of the separator itself will be such as to loosen the clogs of sugar in the v openings of the separator screen or wallfifll and thus eliminate the necessity of cleaning Y out these openings.

With the above and other objects in view, such as will be hereinafter apparent the invention consists in general of certain novel details of construction and coihbinat-ions of parts hereinafter full described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and spcoifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, like char actors of reference indicate like parts in the several views, and

Figure 1 is a vertical medium section taken through a separator constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a view showing horizontal sections on different planes, one third of the view being a section on the line ww of Fig. 1', and a second part of the view being 7 a section on the line 3/-y of Fig. 1. i i 7 90 Fig. 3 is a detail partial bottom plan view. of a separator with the receiving hopper removed.

Fig.

4 is section on the line of is a section on the line 5-5 of a section oi! the line6-6 of f r a section on the line 7+ T ofi 10.6

lg. i. i

Fig. 8 a detail perspective showing the manner of securing certain guides. used" herewith.

In the drawings herewith there. has'been illustrated one preferred embodiment of the invention which is particularly adapted for use in the separation of molasses fromsugar. It is not, however, to be understood that the device is only to be used for the apparition of be obvious that the same machine or a machine difl'ering from this machine only in its details of construction maybe used for the separation of various other substances into their component, solid and liquid parts.

In the embodiment herein illustrated there has been shown a-shaft 10 which may he termed the main or driving shaft and this shaft is supported at its up er end in a suite ahlc hearin which is not eemed necessary to show. uitalble means are providedon this shaft for so plying power thereto and as typical of sucli means there has been dis closed a belt pulley 11 although this means is to be taken as merely typical and any suitable manner of driving the shaft 10 may he used.

Suspended from the upper hearing by means of rods 12 is a casing or housing 13 which is preferably of-substantial frustoconical form and has on its inside at its lower edge a trough 14for the reception of molasses after separation from the sugar. This trough extends entirely around the deviee and is preferably so pitched with respect to the horizontal that the molasses will run down toward an outlet 15.

Secured to the trough 14 are the outer ends of spider arms 16 which unitein a hub 17. Within this hub 171's located a bearing box 18 rovided with an anti-friction liner 19 and iaving in its towel end a closure 20 where-on rests an end thrust ball 21. The lower end of the shaft 10 is reduced as at 22 and this reduced end is received in the bearings just described so that by this means both the upper and lower ends of the shaft are supported in bearings.

Fixed on the shaft. 10 at the upper part of the casing or housing 13 is a spider hub 22' from which radiate spider arms 23 having upturned ends 24. Mounted on these upturned ends and securely fastened thereto is a ring :25 whereou are arranged the spaced bearings 26, theheariugs, being disposed in pairs and the pairs equally spaced entirely around the ring. In these bearings 26 are journaled short shaft sections 27 whercon are mounted sprockets 28.

A little below the center of the casing is provided a second spider hub 29 from which radiate the arms 30 having downwardly turned ends 31. Through these downwardly turned ends 31 are securely fixed brackets 32 which carry a lower ring 33. On this lower ring 33 are provided spaced pairs of bearings 34, the hearings on the lower ring being disposed directly below the hearings on the upper ring andl in these hearings 34 are mounted the shaft sections 35. Furthermore there are disposed around the ring 33 three pairs of hearings 36, theserhearings being so arrangcd that the pairs are equally spaced and in these latter hearings are supported shaft sections 37. Mounted on these shaft sections are worm wheels 38 respectively.

eilect simultaneous rotation f all of the shaft sections 35 and 37 they are connected by means of universal joints 41.

Now from the foregoing it will be seen that if one of the shaft sections it? be re volved by the revolution of its worm wheel then all of the sections 37 and 35 will f-llllllth taneously revolve and thus all of the sprocket chains will he simultaneously driven.

In order to effect the driving of the worm Wheels there is provided on each of the arms 30 a bearing 42 wherein is jouruulcd a shaft 43 carrying at its outer end a worm ll which meshes with a respective worm whccl 38. ()u the inner end of each shaft 43 is a lwvclod gear 45 which meshes with a beveled gear it? revolubly mounted on the shaft 10. Fixed in one of the arms 16 is a stuh shaft l? whereon is revolulily mounted a gear l l which meshes with a gear ll) fixed on the hub of the gear 46. Connected to the gait 48 is a gear 51, also mounted on the shaft 47 and this gear 51 meshes with a gear 52 which is keyed upon the shaft Ill. From an inspection of Fig. 1 it will hc seen that the diameter of the gear is greater than the diameter of the gear 49 and mnscqucutly the diameter of the gear 51 is l-cr s than the diameter of the gear -18. ll means of this arrangement the rotation of the shaft 10 will cause rotation of the rings 25 and 33 and thus of the shaft 43 about ill 1 axis of said shaft 10. At the same time the gear 52 will revolve as fast as the shaft 10 but the revolution ol this gear 52 will cause revolution of the gear 51 which in turn will revolve the gcur 48. The gear ill which meshes with ihc gear 48 will thus revolve in the same direction as the gear 5;! but at a higher rate of speed. the ditl'crcnce being only slight. Now the revolution of this gear 49 is ciui'miunicul'ed lo the shaft 43 through the gears ill and i5 st tint consequently those shafts will rci'olw and in their revolution will rotate liix' lower spockets 39 and cause travel of the inner portions of the chains downward and the outer portions of the chains upward when the shaft 10 is revolved in the proper direction for separation.

In order'to separate the sugar from inolilsses there is provided a cylinder 54 which extends vertically across the inner flanges of the rings 25 and S3, to which it is secured. and is formed of a perforated sheet of metal through which the molasses may pass as it is carried thereacross by a series of endless carriers or hands. (hi each of the new-km llfi chains is provided an endless ;forami'nous band 53 and this band is preferably made of flexible steel or other like material. These bands inclose the perforated cylinder 54 and are arranged in three sets and each set is separated from the adjacent set by a slight space so that the arms -23-and brackets 32 can pass between the adjacent edgesof the sets. In order to preven the pa of sugar throu h the gaps thus left there are formed in t e cylinder 54 between the opposing edges of these sets certain ridges or stops 54 which close in these spaces.-

Furthermore the plates 53 are arranged so that. one edge of each plate overlaps-the adjacent edge of the next plate as can be clearlyseen by reference to The purpose of this ito preventany sliding of the sugar which me take place to be free and uninterruptedan to" prevent the lodlging of such against the edges of t e plates, the overlapp ng being so arranged that as the shaft isrevolved in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2 therear edge of each a plate will be the overla ping edge.

-e outer portions 0 these bands 53 are supported at their ed' by ides 55 which extend vertically of i'ne, being carried on the respective upper and lower rings and securely fixed theret'ol'i From an ins 0- tion of Pi 2'it will be'obbervedthat t ese 4 guides 55 ave their adjdcent edges spaced a nd the purpose ofthis-spacing canbe best observed by an ins tion-of Fig. 2 wherein theshort arrows indicate the route taken by-- the molasses in passing through the separator screens or band On the upper end of the hub 22 isa conical flange 56 and mounted on thisflange 56 is a conical spreader plat-e157. 'At 58 is a receivia'i hopper which surijgunds the shaft 10 and is openat the bottom-and fromthe bottom portion of this hop flares outwardly a frusto-colii'cal guard '59, the itch of this plate bei greaterg I the pity: of the plate 57 and t eedges'o two plates 59 and 57 being closely s I that together they form a distributinfi slitwhicli lies close to the endless band 'filh f Now as the sugar ispoured n flsthe hopper 58 the rapid revo ution of tlieplate 57 will cause the sugar to fly off of this late between this-and theg'plate as by centrl ugal action and the wet sugar 1! lug oil of the plate 57 will strike against eeup rof the inner portions of the endless ban '5 and b action-of the gearing before" referred. to thil; sugar will be carried downward. During its passage downward on the-inner portions of these bands the centrifugal action of the machineTwillcauseatheflow of the molasses through the perforationsin the endless bands'and'thecylinder 54' and then across the spaces between the shown in Fig. 2 so that it will strike the eas- Figs. 2 and 3. 1

upper edge of the inner surface 0 guide members as mg hopper or bin 60 the upper edge of which hes in such position that an material thrown oil the lower bights of t e endless hands by centrifugal action will strike this upper edge and fall down toward the bot tom of the hopper.

before set forth the sugar is carried downward by the inner sides of the endless bands and in its downward motion adheres closely to these bands, in fact forming a cake on the bands. When the bands reach the lower sprocket they will be bent by the action of the sproclret'chains around these sprockets and will thus crack off the adhered en er and at the same time the bending will eflct loosening of any plugs of Sn ar which may be in the perforations of t e bands.

Upon reaching-almost the bottom point of the band the centrifugal action of the rap idly running-machine Will throw the sugar, now loosened, oil" of these bands a ainst the the hopper 60 so that the dried sugar will fall down and collect in said hoppe Now from the foregoing it will be seen that the operation may be continued since it is merely necessary to keep the hopper 58 charged with sugar which will automatically be spread on the upper parts of the inner portions of the endless bands and then be dried b the centrifugal action and automaticall y thrown off of the'lower ends of said hands into the receiving hopper. Thus, the separator may be run continuously withmass of the sugar orfor removing the plugs from the perforations in the bands.

There has been rovided a simple and efficient device of t e kind described and for the purpose specified.

,It is obvious that many minor cha es may be made in the form and construction of the invention without departing from the material principles thereof. .It is not therefore desired to confine the invention to the 'exact form herein shown and describedbut it is wished to include all Such as properly come within the scope claimed. 1

Having thusdescribed the invention, what is claimed as new, is:

1. The combination with a separator casing; of a shaft rotatably mounted concentric of. said casing, spiders fixed on said shaft, rotatable carrier wheelssup orted by said spiders, endless 'foraminous lts carried by. said wheelsi'nwardly the edges of the bells, said belts bei, rranged in overlapplng relation, means 0 rotate said shaft, and means to drive certain of said Ewheels in timed relation to said shaft.

2. The comhinatim with a separator easing: of a shaft rotatably mounted concentric of the casing, an upper and a lower spider fixed on said shaft, sprockets supported rotatably by the spiders to form upper and lower series, the sprockets of one series being connected whereby all the sprockets of the connected series may rotate simultaneously, sprocket chains connecting the sprockets of one series with the sprockets of the other series, endless foraminous bands fixed to said chains inwardly of the side edges of the bands with their i'nner side portions in overlapping relation, means to rotate the shaft. and means to rotate the sprockets in timed relation to the shaft.

3. The combination with a se )arator casing, of a shaft rot atably mounte concentric of the casing, an n )per and a lower spider, bearings snpporte by said spiders and forming upper and lower circular series, a sectional shaft having its sections connected by universal joints and journaled in the hearin s of one series, other shaft sections jonrna ed in the bearings of the other series, sprockets fixed on said sections, chains connecting the sprockets of the upper series with the sprockets of the lower series, endless foraminous bands carried by said chains and arranged in groups to form composite continuous inner separating wall sections, wall members connecting and overlapping the composite wall sections, means to rive said first shaft and gearing connecting the first sha ft. with the universally jointed shaft, and including a gear having an axis fixed with relation to the movement of said first shaft. 1

4. The combination with a separator casing, of a shaft rotatably mounted concentric of the casing, an upper ends lower spider, hearings supported by said spiders and forming upper and lower circular series, a sectional shaft having its sectionsseonnected. by universal joints and journaled in the bean ings of one series, other shaft sections join naled in the bearings of the other series; sprockets fixed on said sections, chains copneeting the sprockets of the upper series with the s rockets of the lower series, endless forannnous bands carried by said chains and arranged to form a continuous inner separating wall, means to drive said first shaft and gearing conn ctin the first shaft with the universally j inte shaft and including a gear fixed on said first shaft, a gear rotatably mounted 01f said first shaft and having a different itch diameter than the first gear, a fixed s aft, :1 double gear mounted on the fixed shaft and meshing with the first two gears, a bevel gear con nected to the second gear and rotatable therewith, radial] alined beari on one of the spiders, a s aft journaledm the last mentioned bearings, a bevel gear on said a of the casing, an n r and a last shaft meshin with tihefirst-txavei gear, a worm on said l shaft, and a worm wheel on one of the sections of the universally jointed shaft.

5. The combination with a separator cas ing; of endlrss foraminous hands arranged parallel to the axis of rotation and forming inner overlapping and outer spaced walls, means to rotate said walls about said axis, means to cause travel of the inner and outer portions of said bands in opposite directrons, means to continuously feed material to be dried to the ulpper arts of'baid bands and guided-with W ich t e spaced edg-s of the outer walls are movabljifengaged, disposed to receive and direct molasses from over said edges.

6. The combination with a separator cas ing; of a shaft rotatably mounted concentric of said casing, spiders fixed on said shaft, rotatable carrier wheels supported by said spiders, endless foraminous bands carried b said wheels in overlapping relation, means to rotate said shaft, other means to drive certain of said wheels, and means to continuously feed material to be dried to'the upper parts of said bands.

7. The combination with apseparator easing; of ashaft rotatably mounted concentric of said casing, spiders fixed on said shaft, 9

rotatablecarrier wheels supported by said spiders, endless foraminous belts earriedby said wheels and arranged to form a continuous inner and an outer wall, means to rotate said shaft, means to drive certain of said wheels in timed relation to said shaft, and means to feed material to be dried to said bands.

8. The combination with a separator casing, of a shaft rotatably mounted concentric lower spider, bearings supported y said spidersand forming upper and lower circular series, a sectional shaft having its sections connected by universal joints and journaled in the bearingsof one series, other shaft sections im; connected and journaled in the bearin of the other series, sprockets fixed on ofiations, chains connecting the sprocket ofjthe upper series with the sprocketsof ilower series, endless foramino'us bands carried by said chains in overlapping relation; means to drive said first shaft, gelatin 1 'iiiieo ting the first shaft with the um'vers y" jointed,

shaft and including a gear having an axis az'o fixed with relation to-the movement of said first shaft, and means to fetidmaterial to be dried to the upper anes: saidbands.

9. The combination with a eentrifu l l separator having a wan including '12s i ve ping sections, ceftainbf which are ot means to infect movement of; s tion on of,

portions, offsttid wltl into angles to no aixisof rotat- 58 m, means to eontinnously, mati'amr'ti tail -1otatable carrier Wheels supported to be dried to one end ofthe wall, and an open topped hopper beneath the separator and having its, upper edge portion positioned to; receive the discharge. from the separator.

, 0 Accntrifu se arator compiising a llpnahty of en ess oraminous lts ar I hfigbd 1n a-circular 881165 and having means for feeding them longitudinally, a driving mechanism for the feeding means including shafts passi, g between certain of the' belts, wtl 'and a ar isposed to bridge the inter- "5 aces tween, the belts having said shafts belts between each air of shafts'having their. inner side portions in overla ing relation.

' 11. he combination with a separator casing; of a shaft rotatalbly mounted concentric of said casing, spiders fixed on said shaft, rotatable carrier wheels supported by said spiders, endless foraminous bands carried by said wheels inwardly of the side edges of t erebetweenftlle the bands and in overlap ing'relatiommeans to rotate said shaft, ot er means to drive certain of said wheels, means to continuously feed material to be dried to the upper parts of said bands, and an open topped opper beneath the separator and having its upper edge portion surrounding the lower portions of said bands.

12. The combination with a separator casing; of a shaft rotatably mounted concentric of said casing, spiders fixed on said shaft, rotatable carrier wheels supported by said spiders, endless foraminous belts carried by said wheels, certain of which belts are in overlapping relation,fmeans to rotate said shaft, means disposed between the unlappcd belt ed es to dri ve' certain of said wheels in timed relation to said shaft, plates bridg ing between opposed unlapped belt edges, means to feed material to be dried to the upper parts of said bands, and an open topped opper beneath the separator and having its upper edge portion surrounding the lower portions of said bands.

13. The combination with a se arator casing; of endless foraminous :ban siarranged bracing the portions of the bands forming the outer Wall and spaced to provide flui escape openings.

14. The, combination with a separator casing; of a shaft rotatably mounted concentric of said casing, spiders'fixed on said) shaft, y said spider's, endless foram'inousbelts carried by said wheels and arranged to form a-continnous inner and an outerwall, means to rotate said shaft, means to drive certain of said wheels in timed relation to said shaft, and guides embracing the ortions of the bands forming the outer we l and spaced to provide fluid esca e openings.

15. The com ination with a separator casing; of a shaft rotatably mounted concentric of the casin an upper and a lower spider fixed on sai shaft, sprockets supported rotatably by the spiders to form upper and lower series, the sprockets of one series being connected whereby all the sprockets of the connected series may rotate simultaneously, sprocket chains connecting the s rockets of one series with the sprockets o the other series, endless foraminous bands fixed to said chains, means to rotate the shaft, means to. rotate the sprockets in timed relation to the shaft, and guides embracing the portions of the bands forming the outer wall and spaced to provide fluid escape openings.

16. The combination with a separator casing, of a shaft rotatably mounted concentric of the casing, an upper and a lower spider, bearings supported by said spiders and forming upper and lower circular series, a sectional shaft having its sections connected by universal joints and journaled in the bearings of one series, other shaft sections journaled in the bearings of the other series, sprockets fixed on said sections, chains connecting the sprockets of the upper series with the sprockets of the lower series, endless foraminous bands carried by said chains and arranged to form a continuous inner separating wall, means to drive said first shaft, gearing connecting the first shaft with the universally jointed shaft and including a gear having an axis fixed with relation to the movement of said first shaft, and guides embracing the portions of the bands forming the outer wall and spaced to provide fl 1d escape openings.

17. The (,OIIll'JlHalLIOII with a separator casing, of a shaft rotatably mounted concentric of the casing, an upper and a'lower spider, bearings supported by said spiders and forming upper and lower circular series, a

sectional shaft having its sections connected 'journaled in the bearings of the other series,

sprockets fixed on said sections, chains connectin the s rockets of the upper series with t e spree ets of the lower series, endless forammous ba (is carried by said chains and arranged to .orm a contlnuous inner separating wall, means to drive said first shaft and gearing connecting the first shaft withthe universally jointed shaft and including a car fixed on said first shaft, a gear rotate ly mounted on said first shaft and having a different pitch diameter than the first gear, a fixed shaft a double mounted on the fixed shaft and mes ing ear with the first bwn gears, a bevel gear em1- neelml to (lie svemnl gear and rotatable therewith, radially llilllfill hearings on one of (he spltlvm, :1 shall, juui-nnleil in the lust nwnlimmi lmu'ingn, n lim'vi gem (Jll said lzml li..l'l nnasliing with line first bevel gear, :1 nwni nn mini last slml'l n wulln win-cl on will ui' lln' slc'liuns ul' llw HHI YUISILily jointed shall, and guides mnin'nmn t (in: pultmim of the bands furming the outer wall and spaced 10 JIOVldG fluid escape openin s.

in testimony Lure, in the presence of two wltnesses.

whereof, I a x my signw LORENZO M. M ULET.

llitnesses l J. RICHARDSON, A. WALJEN. 

